(Second of two parts)
The most recent EY Reimagining Industry Futures Study, which examined executive attitudes and intentions toward 5G, IoT, and other emerging technologies from respondents across 1,325 global firms from various industries, found that organizations are increasingly relying on these emerging technologies to advance their sustainability initiatives. The study offers Chief Information Officers (CIOs) crucial solutions and steps to help their organizations rethink their future and demonstrates that emerging technologies provide advantages that include improved measurement, increased efficiency, and the capacity to create virtual goods and processes.
Findings from the study demonstrate significant convergence between business technology and sustainability strategy. The first part of the article discussed emerging technology as sustainability drivers, sustainability-related benefits of modern technology, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) as a key factor in emerging technology investments, enterprise sustainability strategies already benefiting from 5G and IoT, and how sustainability imperatives are changing perspectives towards industry ecosystems and technology suppliers.
The second part of this article discusses differing industry perspectives on emerging technology and sustainability, and considerations organizations can make to ensure expectations translate into long-term value creation.
DIFFERING INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVES
Energy efficiency and business circularity expectations at the sector level showed notable differences when respondents were asked how they perceive the sustainability benefits of emerging technology. Despite the fact that 46% of respondents across all industries cite decreased energy usage as the top benefit, only 38% of the healthcare sector mentioned this benefit compared to 54% of the automobile sector. Only 35% of executives in government organizations mentioned reduced waste output, compared to 50% of executives in the manufacturing sector.
The two industries most likely to point to benefits from emerging technology in gauging the environmental effect of their organizations were government and healthcare with both at 44%. However, evaluating the environmental impact of suppliers is seen as significantly less critical in government and healthcare but as a significant advantage among manufacturing and energy respondents.
This is because reporting Scope 3 emissions makes it more necessary than ever. Industries are aware of the potential for new technologies to aid in measuring performance and advancement, but the scope of their ambition varies depending on whether they are concentrating on their own organization or expanding to include their supplier chain.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR LONG-TERM VALUE CREATION
ESG factors are already influencing the technology investment decisions of several businesses, and sustainability requirements are expected to overpower other considerations when selecting technology vendors.
However, CIOs are able to do more to ensure that high expectations result in the production of long-term value through the following points of action:
Long-term sustainable advantages
Although businesses are aware of the variety of sustainability advantages offered by emerging technologies, it is crucial that technology leaders concentrate their ambitions. Technology leaders have to carefully consider the combined impact of many technologies before prioritizing and phasing the important ESG outcomes they are seeking and selecting the best technologies that can deliver them. Another consideration is including ESG risks as part of the assessment, as ESG risk should be embedded in a company’s enterprise risk management process. In certain instances, these ESG risks can be resolved by utilizing appropriate technologies.
Assessing environmental implications
Organizations can examine the carbon footprint and energy efficiency of their portfolio of emerging technologies, and make sure their approach directly ties into the overarching goals of the organization for lower IT energy use. They will have to be sure to consider how upgrading their IT to newer standards and technologies will improve sustainability, particularly in how it will impact their carbon footprint and energy efficiency.
Sustainability agendas informed by tech
Working closely together with other leadership roles and responsibilities will make sure that everyone in the organization is aware of how new technology can accelerate ESG goals. Discussions with the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), or equivalent role, will contribute to the proper assessment of the acquisition and use of new technology. This will ensure that existing digital transformation roadmaps continue to serve their intended purposes while sustainable principles take on greater significance as motivating factors.
Sustainability as a guiding concept for relationships with technology suppliers
CIOs are already giving sustainability capabilities priority when looking for qualities in technology companies. It is critical that businesses prioritize sustainability in their conversations with wider partner networks. Although decisions about vendors and technology investments are currently being made with sustainability in mind, there is still room for more cooperation in the future regarding circular business models and shared ESG objectives.
Technological use cases created with sustainability in mind
Several firms already have established IoT projects, and the rapidly expanding deployment of 5G and edge computing is progressively enhancing these initiatives. Sustainability-aligned results must be incorporated into use cases and deployment methods. To do this, CIOs must think about how new technology use cases might benefit partners, customers, and employees alike. They must also establish the proper feedback loops with technology vendors to make their vision a reality.
Using emerging tech to drive sustainable outcomes
With sustainability goals coming under even more intense scrutiny, organizations will have to keep prioritizing the sustainability capabilities and credentials of their technology vendors in the future. CIOs will have to assess the benefits and drawbacks of developing technologies in achieving sustainability goals, creating long-term value and ultimately building a better working world.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of SGV & Co.
Joseph Ian M. Canlas is a consulting partner and part of the Climate Change and Sustainability Services team of SGV & Co.
